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Jarrod Wayne Rudder: Charged with Killing 2-Year-Old Left in his Care

Jarrod Wayne Rudder, 24, of Elkville, Illinois, faces two counts of first degree murder in the death of 2-year-old Michael Pulliam. The boy was left in Rudder's care while his mother, who has not been identified, was at work Friday night. Rudder's relationship to the mother and child has not been confirmed, but it is known that he lived in the home with them.

Elkville Police were summoned to the home just before midnight on Friday and found the child unconscious. He was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, where he died Sunday night. Jackson County detectives had been working the case, and presented their findings to Jackson County Illinois State Attorney Michael L. Wepsiec.

On Monday afternoon, Wepsiec outlined the charges against Rudder at a press conference. He alleges that Rudder took the child by the wrist and swung him against the wall, causing bleeding on the brain and several broken bones. Wepsiec would not comment on the possibility of other children living in the home, nor would he comment on the possibility of more charges being filed, citing the ongoing investigation.